Rain Has Cost NSW Wheat Men Millions

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1948, Page 3

Rain Has Cost NSW Wheat Men Millions

SYDNEY, Wed. (11.30 a.m.). —More freakish weather, with heavy rain, gales, hail, and even snow, is reported over Eastern sourceg }- orecas t wet and unsettled weather for most of New South Wales, including Sydney, for the remainder of the summer.

The continued rain has already cost New South Wales up to 30,000,000 bushels of wheat, worth at least £18,000,000 and every shower means a further loss. The quality of the remaining wheat has suffered considerably. However, the rain has meant the best season for pastures in 50 years. It is claimed that this is the longest December wet spell for 71 years. ■ A long-range forecast of a wet, cool summer is given by the State Meteorologist (Mr B. W. Newman), who has based it on reports from Australian, Pacific and Antarctic weather stations. Snow is falling on the Australian Alps and at Kosciusko guests were able to ski yesterday.

Police have been instructed to aid residents of country towns damaged by hailstorms. In Queensland a tornadic storm struck the waterfront and two Brisbane suburbs, uprooting trees, smashing windows, and ripping iron from roofs. Three children and a young woman were injured. At Nudgee a waterspout was formed. which dashed rowing boats against a sea wall. Passengers, numbering 75, have been living in the carriages of the Bris-bane-Cairns train since Sunday, and many are running short of money. The train has been stranded since floodwaters isolated Cardwell. It will be unable to resume its journey for at least two days.

The Pan-American Clipper approaching the Queensland coast from San Francisco flew through a snowstorm.